Relationship between health literacy and quality of life among hemodialysis patients, Tehran, Iran, 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease and dialysis are associated with various complications. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between health literacy and quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis in hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: In this study, a descriptive – correlational study design with 138 sample size was used. Convenience sampling was used to select the study participants. We collected the data on May-September 2019. Data collection was done using the HELIA and KDQOL SF™. RESULTS: In this study, 133 respondents fully completed the questioners. The mean score of health literacy of the respondents was 49.03 (± 22.37) while the average score of quality of life of the respondents in this study was 53.01 (± 14.86). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, patients receiving haemodialysis had insufficient health literacy and a better quality of life. In order to address the health literacy needs of the patients, consideration of continuous health education and assessment in this patient subpopulation could gradually improve their health literacy and quality of life. Health care providers such as nurses could improve Health Literacy and substantially Quality of Life through interventions aimed at determining existing literacy needs in the long and short term treatment course for individual dialysis patients.